LOS ANGELES >> As the Lakers’ primary target in free agency last summer, center Timofey Mozgov has one idea that could yield a stronger return on the team’s four-year, $64 million investment.

“I need to pick it up, be more physical and hit people around,” Mozgov said. “It’s not like killing someone, but being stronger.”

The Lakers never expected Mozgov to fill up the box score considering the team’s foundation mostly centers on the team’s young core. So, the Lakers are hardly blinking over Mozgov entering Tuesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center averaging 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds. Yet, Lakers coach Luke Walton conceded Mozgov has “had some ups and downs this year.”

“He’s been struggling a little bit lately in finishing around the rim,” Walton said. “To me, his legs might be a little tired this time of year. He’ll figure it out.”

That’s because Walton has mostly liked Mozgov’s post presence and mid-range jumper. Though the Lakers rank toward the bottom of the NBA in nearly every statistical category, Walton hardly found any of those issues tracing back to Mozgov. Walton described Mozgov’s defense as “pretty consistent” before adding he “understands the schemes better than the guys.”

“A lot of times it looks like the center is the guy not protecting the rim because that’s his job. But a lot of times, guards are getting broken down,” Walton said. “He has to come help over and now we’re not getting back to his guy, who’s getting the tip-in. We’re fine with the way he’s playing.”

Mozgov did not sound fine, though, with using Walton’s explanation as an excuse.

“I still have to do my job,” Mozgov said. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on. We have five guys on the court. We have to pick up each other. It doesn’t matter who breaks. It’s important for guys to know there’s somebody behind his back every time. It’s all about hustle. If you want to be good on defense, you have to want to play defense. You have to take it personal.”

So, Mozgov pledged he will take on his own personal challenge.

“Sometimes you don’t score points or have 10 blocked shots, but you can still work and be aggressive in the paint,” Mozgov said. “If you don’t have your shot, find your teammates that are open.”

“If he wasn’t a hard worker, I’d be worried about it,” Walton said. “We see him in there every day before practices and after shoot-arounds. He doesn’t take days off. When you have that type of work ethic and the fact he could shoot the ball beforehand, it’ll come.”

Mark Medina has been the Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Daily News since 2012. He also works as a Lakers insider for AM570 and is heard on national radio outlets, including The Dan Patrick Show, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, The Chris Mannix Show, Fox Sports Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Yahoo! Sports Radio and SB Nation Radio. Medina also appears frequently on Spectrum SportsNet and NBC4's "Going Roggin."